The Philadelphia Phillies showcased their dominance on Thursday by completing a three-game sweep against the Colorado Rockies with a 2-0 victory. This win comes after the Phillies successfully faced off against the two lowest-ranked offenses in baseball, the Pirates and Rockies, winning all seven games in those series.
Starting pitcher Ranger Suarez was instrumental in the game, delivering an impressive performance. Despite not having a single 1-2-3 inning, he managed to contain the Rockies effectively, allowing only three runs in his last three starts. Leaving the mound in the seventh with two men on base and a stellar 6⅔ scoreless innings under his belt, Suarez credited the success of his cutter and his adaptability to the game’s conditions, despite being challenged by a wide strike zone set by home plate umpire Jonathan Parra.
The Phillies’ first run of the game was unearned, stemming from a fourth-inning error by Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar. Bryce Harper followed with a crucial RBI double, demonstrating his keen batting eye as he has been on a hot streak, hitting 14-for-28 over the last week. The second run came in the seventh inning, with Kyle Schwarber hustling from first base to score on a double from Max Kepler, who has shown signs of improvement after a slump.
Throughout the series, the Rockies struggled with errors and poor decision-making on the basepaths, contributing to their defeat. Manager Rob Thomson noted that while the Rockies’ mistakes helped, the Phillies executed well and displayed solid pitching and hitting.
The triumph also marks the Phillies as having the best road record in the National League at 15-10 and extends their lead in the NL East to two games over the Mets. With a series against the struggling Oakland Athletics looming, Suarez expressed optimism about the team’s direction, indicating that if they continue to play well, they will remain competitive.
This positive outlook sets the stage for a hopeful continuation of the Phillies’ strong performance as they aim to build on their recent success and deepen their lead in the division.